Raymarine SPX compasses. (UK support not now available by email)

[ianj99]

I want to remove the fluxgate compass from my SPX30 course computer and use heading data over Seatalkng. (the fluxgate compass is not very satisfactory, having to be mounted too high up the mast on my steel ketch and so is subject to too much pitch and roll)

The instructions for my previous S3g course computer mentioned that it could use heading data over Seatalk or Nmea if the fluxgate compass was disconnected.

I cannot find any similar mention in the SPX30 instructions so not sure whether an Airmar GH1283 solidstate compass + gps receiver which has both 0183 and N2k outputs will work.

Raymarine's support no longer gives an email or contact form, you cannot join the USA forum unless a US resident and 'Ask Raymarine' does not cover my query.

Thanks.
Ian

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I would also be interested in finding out how to do this, the fluxgate compass on Eynhallow is difficult to calibrate because of the large Cast Iron Grounding plate on the Southerly and I'd like to swap it out for something more accurate and reliable. The fluxgate is directly connected to the SPX30 at a higher data rate than standard NMEA 183 and it would probably be better to connect any new heading reference to the Raymarine backbone.

 

[nigelmercier]

... you cannot join the USA forum unless a US resident ...

You can if you lie.

 

[ianj99]

I would also be interested in finding out how to do this, the fluxgate compass on Eynhallow is difficult to calibrate because of the large Cast Iron Grounding plate on the Southerly and I'd like to swap it out for something more accurate and reliable. The fluxgate is directly connected to the SPX30 at a higher data rate than standard NMEA 183 and it would probably be better to connect any new heading reference to the Raymarine backbone.

The Airmar has the standard 10HZ update rate for heading data so assuming the spx30 will recognise heading data via STng then there should not be a problem. (The gps data update is 1hz)
I will find out this weekend and update this thread.
Ian

 

[ianj99]

You can if you lie.

I didn't think of that until it was too late! Might try again if I don't get a reply from their EU service email address I found.

 

[ianj99]

I've now received a reply from Raymarine support where they tried to put me off using any third party compass, claiming the results would be worse than using the fluxgate unit. They never actually said the SPX30 wouldn't work with heading data via StNG and tried to sell me an Evolution system. (which would render the SPX30 redundant as well as being unaffordable)

"We do not support third party compasses with our SPX pilots and would not recommend fitting one as the software does not support it correctly and may actually make your situation worse."

(Yet the S3 AP does accept heading data via Seatalk or Nmea so that would work with the Airmar sensor. I can't believe the newer SPX30 is restricted to using the fluxgate compass only)

So its a case of suck it and see!
Ian

 

[Ian_Edwards]

Thanks for the update, I've emailed both Raymarine and AirMar with the same question, but don't have a reply from either yet.

I updated my autopilot from the earlier model with the rate gyro upgrade 2 years ago. I didn't see any improvement with the SPX30, infact it has been less reliable and has been back to Raymarine who put a new circuit board in it. It more or less works now, but I occasionally get a error message (unexpected software error) and have to a power on/off to get it to work again. I've installed all the software upgrade to the end of the season.

The fluxgate is a direct descendant of the the original fluxgate used in the early Autohelms, or so I was told by a engineer in a phone call to Raymarine, so it's well past it's sell by date.

I'm really interested in using the AirMar to replace the fluxgate, any idea how it will work with the rate gyros (angular accelerometers) installed within the SPX30?

If you have a go, please update this thread with the results.

 

[ianj99]

Thanks for the update, I've emailed both Raymarine and AirMar with the same question, but don't have a reply from either yet.

I updated my autopilot from the earlier model with the rate gyro upgrade 2 years ago. I didn't see any improvement with the SPX30, infact it has been less reliable and has been back to Raymarine who put a new circuit board in it. It more or less works now, but I occasionally get a error message (unexpected software error) and have to a power on/off to get it to work again. I've installed all the software upgrade to the end of the season.

The fluxgate is a direct descendant of the the original fluxgate used in the early Autohelms, or so I was told by a engineer in a phone call to Raymarine, so it's well past it's sell by date.

I'm really interested in using the AirMar to replace the fluxgate, any idea how it will work with the rate gyros (angular accelerometers) installed within the SPX30?

If you have a go, please update this thread with the results.

I wondered about the rate gyros in the SPX30, but presumably it will just use the heading data in the 127250 pgn and ignore the other related pgns such as 127251 - rate of turn.

Raymarine's final email stated "If you fit any external heading source, be it one of ours or someone elses the pilot will not function as well as it should as it was never designed that way."

Ie they didn't say it won't work. I cannot see how it could be worse than their undamped fluxgate compass 3.5m above the water line and I can understand that they'd never admit if third party sensors did work.
I should know whether there'll be any error messages & if the P70 displays the heading at the weekend.